Where to Buy Rubber Bands in Bulk: The Complete Guide

If you have ever searched for rubber bands and found yourself overwhelmed by generic options on Amazon, overpriced listings on office supply sites, or confusing product pages with no clear sizing information, you are not alone. Finding a reliable source for quality rubber bands in bulk is harder than it should be.

This guide covers the main places to buy rubber bands, what to look for in a supplier, and why buying factory-direct from an American manufacturer gives you the best combination of price, quality, and consistency.

The Main Options for Buying Rubber Bands

Office Supply Stores (Staples, Office Depot)

Office supply retailers sell rubber bands in small boxes of 1-2 pounds. For light office use, this works fine. But if you need more than a few hundred bands at a time, the per-unit cost is extremely high. A 1lb box at Staples can cost $8-12, while a 25lb bulk case from a manufacturer costs a fraction of that per pound.

Amazon

Amazon has a wide selection, but quality varies dramatically. Many listings are imported bands with inconsistent sizing, and it can be hard to tell what you are actually getting. The bands may arrive brittle, incorrectly sized, or with no information about whether they meet food-contact standards. That said, Amazon does carry genuine Alliance Rubber Company products, including Bulk #64 Rubber Bands and other popular sizes.

ULINE

ULINE is a common choice for businesses ordering shipping and warehouse supplies. They carry rubber bands, but their pricing reflects the markup of a catalog distributor. You are paying for the convenience of one-stop shopping, not for the best price on rubber bands specifically.

Factory-Direct: BulkRubberBands.com

This is what we do. BulkRubberBands.com is the exclusive online distributor for Alliance Rubber Company, the last rubber band manufacturer in the United States. When you order from us, your rubber bands ship directly from Alliance's factory in Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is no middleman, no distributor markup, and no imported product of unknown origin.

What to Look for in a Rubber Band Supplier

Sizing Consistency

Rubber bands are sized by a standard numbering system. A #33 rubber band should always measure 3-1/2" x 1/8". A #64 rubber band should always be 3-1/2" x 1/4". Cheap imported bands frequently deviate from these standards. If you need a specific size for your operation, make sure your supplier manufactures to exact specifications. Check our rubber band size chart for a complete reference.

Material Quality

Natural rubber bands degrade over time, especially when exposed to heat, sunlight, or ozone. Higher-quality rubber compounds last significantly longer. Alliance Rubber uses premium natural rubber and synthetic compounds that resist drying and cracking far better than bargain imports.

Food Safety

If you use rubber bands anywhere near food (produce bundling, food service, kitchen prep), you need FDA food-grade bands. Not all rubber bands meet this standard. Alliance manufactures all of their bands to FDA food-contact specifications, which matters if you are in agriculture, food service, or any industry where grocery chain auditors check your supply line.

Bulk Pricing That Actually Saves Money

The whole point of buying in bulk is saving money. Compare the per-pound cost, not the sticker price. A 25lb case from a factory-direct supplier will almost always beat 25 individual 1lb boxes from a retail store. Our most popular sizes, like Bulk #33 Rubber Bands and Bulk #64 Rubber Bands, are available in 10lb, 25lb, and 50lb cases.

Why Buy American-Made Rubber Bands?

Alliance Rubber Company has been manufacturing rubber bands in Hot Springs, Arkansas since 1923. They are the only remaining rubber band manufacturer in the United States. Every other company in this space imports from factories in China, Thailand, or India.

When you buy from Alliance through BulkRubberBands.com, you get:

• Consistent quality. Same factory, same materials, same specifications every time you order.
• No import delays. No container ships, no customs holds, no port congestion. Your order ships from Arkansas.
• FDA food-grade manufacturing. Alliance's facility and processes meet FDA food-contact standards.
• American jobs. Your purchase supports manufacturing workers in Arkansas, not overseas factories.

Popular Sizes to Get Started

Not sure which size you need? Here are the most commonly ordered rubber bands and what they are used for:

• #19 (3-1/2" x 1/16") - Thin and versatile. Great for mail, small bundles, and office use.
• #32 (3" x 1/8") - The standard office rubber band. Fits around envelopes, cards, and small items.
• #33 (3-1/2" x 1/8") - The most popular size in America. Used in offices, warehouses, and food service.
• #64 (3-1/2" x 1/4") - Wide and strong. The go-to for produce bundling, shipping, and heavy-duty use.
• #84 (3-1/2" x 1/2") - Extra wide. Used for bundling large items, thick stacks, and warehouse applications.

Need help choosing? Our rubber band size chart has every size with dimensions and common applications.

How to Order

Browse our full catalog at BulkRubberBands.com, or if you need volume pricing for large orders, fill out our wholesale pricing request form. We ship factory-direct across the continental United States with free shipping on most orders.

Have questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact us directly.